Smart Feet

Walking is:

• Good for
  It helps children to stay strong and fit.
• Good for the environment
  Using the car less means that we burn less fuel and create less pollution.
• Good for road safety
  The more children walk, the faster they learn how to stay safe on the roads and in the street.
• Good for social skills
  Children who walk to school develop and enjoy a social life.  They also acquire many skills that can help to make them more independent.
• Good for the bank balance
  Every motoring mile costs money.  Walking is free.
• Good for the mood
  The school run is stressful.  Wave goodbye to all that.
• Good for the neighbourhood
  Fewer cars mean better streets.

The world would be a better place if children walked more.   It just takes a bit of commitment and a little more time to make a big difference.   North Lanarkshire Council's Road Safety Section is encouraging more children to take this important step with the Smart Feet Campaign.

Smart Feet is targeted at primary schools (P4-7) and selected special needs schools and will run throughout the school year.  In August, children can sign the Smart Feet Pledge and start to record their walking activities in a diary. 

In January, pupils will be invited to take part in a competition to design and feature in a poster to promote the benefits of walking.  Designs will be judged in March and the winner will be used on promotional materials for North Lanarkshire Council's Walk to School Week.

With the full support of schools Smart Feet can encourage many more pupils to walk to school, but it is parents and carers who will really make this work.  If they can encourage their children to walk more and sit in cars less, then those children, their communities and the environment will all benefit.